The Love-Hate Relationship with Opera

Opera evokes strong emotions, capturing both admiration and skepticism among audiences. Many people express a love-hate relationship with opera, feeling both captivated and embarrassed by its melodrama and the often foreign plots and languages. This ambivalence is seen in how opera aficionados can enjoy its emotional depth while simultaneously feeling out of place or disconnected from its dramatic narratives. Dana Gioia, the guest, explores these complexities, emphasizing the primal and intoxicating nature of opera that transcends cultural barriers.